Sign



Dec. 23, 1930. P, A, FARRELL 1,786,155

SIGN

Filed May 6, 192.9

HI`S ATTORNEY Patented Dee. 23, 1G30y usarse oFFIcE PETER A. FARRELL, GE BROOKLYN, NEVE? YORK sieN Application filed May 6, 1829. rSerial No. 360,623.

My invention relates to signs. n

The object of my invention is to 'provide a sign which is practically lire-proof, moisture proof, and non fading, and which may be illuminated at night.

A, further object is to provide a sign in which bota the entire tace 0i the sign as well as the letters may be simultaneously illuminated and may be colored as desired to provide ornamental effect or appearance.

A further object is to provide. a which may be made at a low cost.

ln describing my improved sign l will reier to dra 7ings which illustrate my invention asused for indication the nunber of a dwelling or business address, or toruse on an automobile, etc. and in this torni my device is constructed as a small portable device, but it may be also constructed for use as a large lined sign ior use above a. store or for any other use tor which it niay be adapted..

@ne of the principal objects oi my invention is to provide an illuminated sign which may be brilliantly illuminated by one or more small lamps of low candle power, to provide a sign that may beV economically illuminated.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate my invention, v

Fig. l isa-n elevational front view of a sign embodying my invention, and Vshown in its position in a frame supported in a casing.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the device` taken on line 2 2 of Figure l.

Fig. 3 is an illustrational view indicating the tour layers oi' material, which when held together lirmly, may be made and sold. independent ot the casing and illuminating means.

Fig. 4 is an end View showing a frame construction tor holding the four layers of material shown in Fi(` ne 3, together, the trame being shown partly in cross section.

l may also provide a sign embodying my invention h .ving but three sheets or layers oi material.

A- indicates a thin sheet iron casing which is plated with tin or chromium, and formed with rectangular shaped opening A- in its front side, and a similarshaped opening A2 in its opposite side which is closed by a removable metal sheet A which is plated on its inner side At with chromium to serve as a reflect-ing surface for reflecting light thru a translucent sign located in the openin A. The ends oi the casing are closed by walls formed integral with the bottom A5 casing, and bent upwardly and soldered the end walls et the casing to provide a water tight chamber A6 when the signV :trame B- and sign elements held thereby, are in position in the iront opening A. @ne or more electric lamps C- are supported on the end walls if-4 and electric conductors C- lead therefrom to a source of electric supply, such as ahouse circuit or storage battery having a voltage suitable for use with the lamps used in the casing. li desired, thel reflecting sheet n.3- inay be soldered in permanent relation to the casing and the trame Bfremoved to atlord access tothe chamber AG- in renewing the lamps from time to time. Y

rlhe frame B- is formed as illustrated in cross section in Figure Q- to provide a ange portion Bh which rests against the face p0rtions AS-V of the casing, and an inwardly extending portion 132- Vwhich extends entirely around the frame, and having its edge portion bent inwardly as shown vto provide an annular groove D which also extends entirely around the traine.

v The frame also embodies a front flange portion B3` having its inner edge portions l34- bent inwardly, the inner side of which serves as an abutment for the front plate Ef of the sign to rest against and forni a tight joint between the casing and said plate. The trarne B- fits in the opening A- in substantially water tight relation, and is held by the edge portions of the casing rmiy therein with the Vflangev faces B in close contact with the tace portion AS- of the cas-` ing, and in removable relation thereto.

The sign proper comprises the elements to be illuminated, ,and consists ottoni layers of material held firmly together, either by transparent cement located between the abutting surfaces of the layers, such as silicate of soda, or by being held in a frame ot' metal or other suitable material which will prevent moisture from entering between the layers, and to permit the elements thus assembled te be sold as a separate article of manufacture.

The layers comprise a front plate E of transparent material such glass; a sheet F- of thin translucent material or material having small interstiees thru which light may pass, and which may be colored so that light will show color, and which may be crit to provide letters and lignres or other igns, and cut portions being made like a stencil is made; G- indicates a thin sheet of material such as gelatin, which may be transparent or colored, depending upon the color of the sheet ll, and when used in the casing, upon the color of the lamp bulb C. H- indicates a plate of translucent material such as glass, and usually white or cream colered, but it may be of any desired color required to make a sign embodying the invention herein disclosed.

I have discovered that gelatin in a thin sheet may be illuminated brilliantly with a relatively small amount of light when cols ered red or blue, and I therefore prefer to make the sheet G- of this material. The sheet F- I prefer to matze of thin paper such as tissue paper, and of a color which contrasts with the color of the gelatin sheet Gf. The sheet l-I- is generally made of cream color or white glass, but may be made of the same color as that of the sheet G- to reinforce the color brilliancy of said sheet. The spleet G has the figures or signs formed therein, as illustrated in Figure l, by cuttingv out Vthe portions corresponding to the longitudinally extending lines G- as will be readily understood.

lVhen used with the lamp C- the bulb may be colored to correspond with the color of the gelatin sheet to further add to t-he color effect.

lWhen used in the casing A, the gelatin may be transparent and the sheet F- colored blue, and the lamp bulb colored red, and the lettering will then show red with the face of the sign showing blue and red, if the plate H- is also colored red.

I may malte the sheet F- of blue gelatin and the sheet GH of red gelatin, and the sheet H; of cream color, and the face of the sign will then appear as blue with a red letter or number` or vice versa, the sheet G of blue and the sheet F of red.

By this combination of sheets and colors which contrast7 I may provide signs which are attractive in appearance at a low cost.

lVhen the sheets are assembled as illustrated in Figure l, they may be held in the frame Il by hooks I-I- etc., one end of which is hooked to the frame and rests in the channel or groove D and the other end of which is bent over the edge portion of the rear plate H as shown in Figure 2, and presses the front plate firmly against the initc Aem

ner face of the edge portions B4- of the frame.

The principal reason for using a translucent back plate, as H- is to provide a more even illumination of the entire display surface of the sign. I may use a sign having but three sheets by using a translucent back plate, a colored film such as red gelatin with the numbers formed therein, and a transparent front plate. Assuming the back plate to be red, the gelatin sheet blue, and the back plate white, the sign would present a white number on a blue field.

My invention therefore comprises broadly the use of a translucent back plate, a film or sheet of colored material either translucent or fabricated to pass light and illuminate the face of the sign to correspond with the color of the film, and a front sheet of transparent material such as glass, to provide a moisture proof sign when held together as above set forth. A

Having thus described my invention I claim as new:

l. A sign comprising a translucent opalescent back plate, a sheet of thin colored gelatin, a Linnsiucent sheet of different color from that of said sheet of gelatin, and a front plate of transparent material, said translucent sheet having characters formed therein by removing portions thereof, and means for holding said sheets firmly between said plates.

2. A sign comprising a translucent back plate, a sheet of thin colored gelatin located adjacent thereto, a sheet of translucent material having a different color from that of said sheet of gelatin with characters formed therein by removing portions thereof, and a front plate of transparent material, all held rmly together in contact to prevent moisture from entering between said plates.

3. A si gn of the character described, comprising a easing having a front opening and adapted for interior illumination, a series of parallel sign plates located in said opening and includin g in series from front to bach, a transparent front plate of glass, a translucent plate having characters stenciled therein, a third plate of colored gelatin and a plate of translucent glass, the said plates being env cased in a frame and held in close contact.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

PETER A. FARRELL. 

